Civilian budget analyst manages $27 million budget for only U.S. Army chemical brigade

By Walter T. Ham IVJune 14, 2022

20th CBRNE Command Civilian of the Quarter
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Suree D. Valenzuela (right), the 48th Chemical Brigade lead budget analyst, provides a financial update to the brigade executive officer. The one-of-a-kind brigade is reliant on her support and expertise to enable brigade operations. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Nicholas A. Hughes) VIEW ORIGINAL
Budget Team
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Suree D. Valenzuela (right), the lead budget analyst, meets with her team to discuss the status of the brigade budget. Valenzuela manages her team of three personnel who handles the all financial matters for the entire brigade, which commands four battalions made up of 15 companies dispersed across nine different military installations. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Nicholas A. Hughes) VIEW ORIGINAL
Suree D. Valenzuela
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Suree D. Valenzuela, a budget analyst for the 48th Chemical Brigade, manages the brigade’s budget and ensures the one-of-a-kind formation has the necessary resources to accomplish its high stakes mission. For her efforts, Valenzuela was selected as the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command Civilian of the Quarter for the 3rd quarter of fiscal year 2022. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Nicholas A. Hughes) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas – An Army civilian budget analyst helps to keep the U.S. Army’s only chemical brigade ready to support combat operations overseas and civil authorities at home.

Suree D. Valenzuela, a budget analyst for the 48th Chemical Brigade, manages the brigade’s budget and ensures the one-of-a-kind formation has the necessary resources to accomplish its high stakes mission.

The Fort Hood, Texas-headquartered 48th Chemical Brigade “Spartans” are part of the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command, the U.S. military’s premier deployable all hazards headquarters. Soldiers and civilians from the 20th CBRNE Command take on the world’s most dangerous hazards in support of joint, interagency and allied operations.

For her efforts, Valenzuela was selected as the 20th CBRNE Command Civilian of the Quarter for the 3rd quarter of fiscal year 2022.

Valenzuela managed more than $27 million in funds, cleared more than 350 unmatched transactions and analyzed the budget shortfalls for M1135 Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicles.

She helped the brigade to navigate the budgetary uncertainty caused by Continuing Resolutions and also supported the 20th CBRNE Command headquarters and the command’s two Explosive Ordnance Disposal groups.

The 48th Chemical Brigade commands four battalions and 15 companies with units stationed on nine installations in eight states.

A resident of Georgetown, Texas, Valenzuela retired from the U.S. Army before becoming an Army civilian. During her 20 years as a uniformed Army unit supply specialist, Valenzuela served on Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Lewis, Washington; and Fort Hood, Texas. She deployed to Iraq and Kosovo.

Valenzuela has served as an Army civilian for 10 years.

“I support 48th Chemical Brigade operations around the world by being able to provide the financial guidance and funding documents to ensure that they are always in the state of readiness to accomplish any task, mission or training given to them,” said Valenzuela.

“Every day is a highlight for me working with 48th Chemical Brigade,” said Valenzuela. “I love my job and have the passion to support the warfighters.”